Author Archives: Pete Guither

[Guest post by Russ Belville] Marijuana legalization is the hottest topic in the media these days. MSNBC, CNBC, CNN, FOX, NatGeo, and CBS News have presented special features on marijuana business, medical marijuana, and the marijuana legalization movement. Google Trends … Continue reading →

Recently I was reading an opinion piece by an academic who, after demolishing the government’s position on marijuana, felt the need to admonish drug policy reformers for not fulfilling our obligation to inform people that marijuana is not harmless. First, … Continue reading →

“bullet” He just hasn’t been listening. “No one has told us what alternative we have,” said [Mexican] Interior Minister Fernando G÷mez Mont, gently slapping his palm on a table during an interview. “We are committed to enduring this wave of … Continue reading →

This article by Matthew Engel in yesterday’s Financial Times is a must-read. Really great stuff all around. For decades many academics and professionals have regarded the current blanket prohibition on recreational drugs (though not alcohol or tobacco) as absurd, counter-productive … Continue reading →

As a follow-up to the previous post… When they come out to brag about a successful operation that resulted in the arrest of some drug dealers, I’d like someone to ask: Why should we be excited about having more drug … Continue reading →

It’s very hard for some people to grasp the concept that a successful law enforcement operation may not actually end up providing a net benefit to society. In fact, in the drug war, successful law enforcement operations often cause significant … Continue reading →

CNN.com: Commentary: Why not prohibit smoking? by Tony Newman Excellent OpEd comparing the status of tobacco with prohibited drugs to demonstrate the inherent stupidity of using criminal prohibition as a tool for attacking drug abuse or drug dangers. Instead of … Continue reading →

Funny. I thought we were already doing that. MEXICO CITY (AFP) — Mexico’s attorney general said the United States had insufficient resources and infrastructure to clamp down on marijuana trafficking, after meeting the US anti-drug czar. Mexico’s increasingly powerful drug … Continue reading →

I just finished watching the newly available DVD: The Union: The Business Behind Getting High that was released yesterday. It’s outstanding! It is the most comprehensive documentary review of cannabis policy, politics, history, myths, science, and.. humanity that I’ve seen. … Continue reading →

I used to love nothing better than spending hours wandering through large bookstores. Yesterday, I spent some time browsing the three-story Borders Books in downtown Chicago. Despite looking fairly extensively (though not asking), I was unable to find any books … Continue reading →